In Feb. 2025, a snowplow backed into Deutsche Ecke’s dining room. The crash shut the restaurant down for more than six months.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Tucked inside Newport News’ Stoneybrook Shopping Center along Warwick Boulevard, a small restaurant is serving up a taste of Germany.
Deutsche Ecke, which translates to “German Corner,” opened in September 2024 with the goal of filling what its owners saw as a gap in Hampton Roads’ dining scene.
“I saw a need for a German restaurant in this area,” said co-owner Christiane Howell. She’s lived in the region for more than three decades but remains closely tied to her German heritage.
She and her husband, Terrence Howell, launched the restaurant together.
“It’s actually an excellent cuisine. I love it, and the customers here love it,” Terrence said.
The menu features a range of classic German fare, including jägerschnitzel and rouladen. The latter is made with rolled beef stuffed with bacon, onions and pickles, then cooked in gravy.
For the first four months, business was steady. But in February 2025, a snowstorm brought an unexpected setback.
A snowplow clearing the shopping center parking lot backed into the restaurant, severely damaging the front of the building.
“When we came around the corner, all we saw was fire trucks, police and a truck in the building,” Christiane Howell said. “We were devastated.”
Terrence added, “It was in the dining area and in their lobby area. The back of the truck.”
The crash forced the restaurant to close for more than six months. Still, the couple said they never considered shutting down for good.
“We just had to hang in there and were determined to reopen,” said Christiane.
Now back in operation, Deutsche Ecke is once again serving schnitzel, sausages, and a selection of German beer and wine. The Howells say they hope both new and returning customers will stop by.
“Come in and have a nice meal and a nice glass of German beer or wine,” Christiane Howell said. “Most people enjoy it.”
Deutsche Ecke is open Tuesday through Saturday at the Stoneybrook Shopping Center in Newport News.
This piece is part of 13News Now’s weekly Friday Flavor segment. If you have an idea of where Marta Berglund should visit next, send her an email at mberglund@13newsnow.com or message her on social media.